Discussion

foodie visit to Nantucket

We're going to Nantucket for a week of great dining. We've been to the Galley and the Pearl before, and thought both were quite good, but I'm not seeing anything about either lately....what's up? Are they still good or has there been a change?

We're also set to go to Topper's. Any thoughts?

Any suggestions for food that's really good this summer on Nantucket (as I know things change...)

The reason people go to the galley at night is to watch the sunset; its a beautiful setting and that is what you are paying for. Their new renovation included a beachside bar, so you could sit their for cocktails, snacks and sunset without commiting to the whole meal.

I would not recommend the brotherhood of thieves- average at best and with so many great restaurants here, why bother.

Straight Wharf is a must- they also do a simple lunch and weekend brunch outside on their patio, surrounded by their garden. Lovely.

If you plan to hit Toppers, try taking their boat ride out for dinner. You can have cocktails onboard and its a really nice way to see some of Nantucket by water if you don't come on your own boat.

Good point about the sunset and the Galley. The only problem with the new bar is that it is small, with few seats, and your back is to the beach! The bartender has the best view. Still, to have a drink outside the bar, on that little deck, would be nice. Also, Straight Wharf has a deck, on the harbor, and they only do one seating, at 8:00 (or at least they used to), and you get a nice view there. Topper's is great, but it's a once-a-summer wallet buster. Also, speaking of views, I love the BeachBar at the Summer House. They don't take dinner reservations past 8:00 as they have to shut down because of the neighbors. You don't go there for the food, though it's ok, you go for the ambience. I was there one summer night and the fog rolled in. The waiters came out with little polar fleece throws for all the customers.

check the weekly menu at Company of the Cauldron when you arrive on the island... the menu is different each night, & if there's anything there that interests you at all, it will be well worth making a reservation.

American Seasons is my personal favorite restaurant on the island. Strongly recommended.

And there's always Provisions when you want to save the rest of your $ after those big meals...

The uninitiated should know beforehand the The Company of the Cauldron is a prix fixe menu. Everybody in the restaurant eats the same thing on a given night (though there's always a vegetarian option). They post the menus, up to a week in advance, on their website. Those of us in the biz always joked that the Cauldron waiters have the easiest job on the island. All they ask is, "Have you chosen a wine?". They are glorified banquet waiters, by their own admission. That said, the food is very good.

marc orfaly of pigale, marco, etc. is out at summer house this season. not exactly sure what that means for the food but may be of interest.i prefer languedoc for lunch--great burgers. everything else i've had there has been spotty at best.toppers is way too precious in my opinion. dining room is like granny's house and food expensive and nothing all that out of this world. david daniels, who used to be at the federalist before it went moo, is out there i think. they used to do a prix fixe at lunch--if they still do that, recommend. as mentioned above w/ the galley, the view and property is nice so if you go out in the day you can at least relax in the lawn chairs after looking at the ocean.brotherhood is the furthest thing from foodie you can get. if you want casual foodie--go to provisions and get one of their amazing sandwiches or the bluefish pate out of the cooler--it is so good. centre street bistro is also good for a more casual and cost effective lunch or brunch. for dinner, my personal favorite is american seasons. it's not just the food--which is always creative, flavorful and plentiful--but it's the entire ambiance. sit on the patio or in the restaurant, dim lights, so much character and soul. the wine list will have your head spinning, service fantastic. for a true nantucket foodie experience, that would be my number 1 reco.